The Office of the Vice President has rejected reports linking Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent remarks at a book launch to the current political situation in Rivers State, stating that such interpretations misrepresent the context and intent of his comments.
In a statement released Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the Vice President’s remarks were described as historical in nature and unrelated to recent federal actions in Rivers State.
The Vice President had spoken at the public presentation “OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block”* by Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, July 10. During his speech, Shettima referenced past efforts under the Goodluck Jonathan administration to remove him as governor of Borno State during the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to Nkwocha, some media outlets have misconstrued Shettima’s account as a commentary on the federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“The Vice President’s comments were made strictly within the context of appreciating the professional conduct of the author during his time as Attorney General,” the statement read. “They were historical references and part of a broader reflection on Nigeria’s constitutional development.”
Nkwocha clarified that Shettima’s remarks were not directed at recent developments in Rivers State, nor were they meant to criticise President Bola Tinubu’s decisions. He emphasised that Shettima’s speech focused on the significance of accountability and documentation in public office.
The statement also addressed the government’s position on the Rivers State crisis, asserting that President Tinubu acted in accordance with constitutional provisions when he declared a state of emergency and suspended Governor Fubara. Nkwocha cited Section 305(1)(c) of the Constitution, which allows for extraordinary measures in cases of public disorder.
“The descent into chaos in Rivers State reached a constitutional threshold requiring federal intervention,” the statement added. “The National Assembly ratified the President’s proclamation in line with Section 305(3), showing bipartisan agreement on the necessity of action.”
The Vice President’s Office urged media organisations to refrain from drawing connections between Shettima’s remarks and unrelated political developments.
“To interpret Senator Shettima’s observations as commentary on current affairs reflects either misinterpretation or a disregard for constitutional discourse,” Nkwocha said. “The Vice President remains aligned with President Tinubu in the administration’s efforts to uphold constitutional governance.”
The statement called for responsible reporting, warning that misrepresentation of public officials’ statements undermines national unity.
